Suction cleaner



April 2, 1946. cogs 2,397,536

SUCTION CLEANER Filed June 14, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN'VENTOR. 6:567:76K 60:55. I

April 2, 1946.

G. R. coss 2, 7,

SUCTION CLEANER Filed June 14, 1944 5 Sheets-Shet 3 r,- fi

I N V EN TOR. 6:901:56 )Z 6'0 55,

Patented Apr. 2, 1946 George R.

Cass, Detroit, Mich., auignor to Eureka Williams Corporation, acorporation of Michigan Application June 14, 1944, Serial No. 540,299 9Claims. (01. z'aa-n'z) This invention relates to suction cleaners andhas particular reference to certain new and useful improvements incleaners of the tank type.

.Principal objects of the invention are to provide:

A new and improved construction for cleaners, particularly of the tanktype; and

A new and improved mounting for motor fan units of cleaners of the tanktype.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from aconsideration of the following specification taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, of which there are three sheets and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a tank cleaner embodying theinvention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of thecleaner;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the connections between themotor and the switch for the circuit thereof;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a part of the motor mounting;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of another part of the motormounting at the other end of the motor;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 2, certainparts being omitted;

Fig, 7 is a cross sectional view taken in a plane along the line 1-1 ofFig. 5; and

Figs. 8 and 9 are sectional views taken along the lines 8-8 and 9-4respectively of Fig. 2, certain of the parts being omitted.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, a cleaner embodying the invention comprises ashell or casing 20 mounted on suitable skids 22 and having a handle 24,a switch and electric socket assembly 28, and a cap or cover 30. Thecover 30 is provided with a socket 32 forming an air inlet, and theother end of the cleaner is provided with a socket 34 forming an airoutlet from the cleaner.

The sockets 32 and 34 are adapted to detachably receive a couplingmember carried on one end of a hose, the other end of which is providedwith means by which various suction cleaning tools, etc., may beattached thereto. Removal or opening of the cover 30 will expose theinterior of the shell or casing 20 which is adapted to receive a dirtcollecting bag 36, the open end of which is presented toward the airinlet opening provided by the socket 32. i

The bag 86 is removably arranged in the casing and so that all of theair which enters the cleaner through the air inlet provided by thesocket 32 will flow into the bag and thence through the walls thereof,thus depositing the dirt entrained in such air in the bag. Between thebag and the air outlet provided by the socket 34 there are arranged inthe order named a filter 38 and a motor fan unit 40.

The shell or casing may be formed of sheet metal of any desired shape orcross section and is made air pressure tight so that all the air mustenter through the air inlet provided by the socket 32, and be dischargedthrough the air outlet provided by the socket 34.

The filter 38, which may be of circular form, may be removably seated inan annular seat formed on a bafile or partition 42, the outer peripheryof which conforms to the interior cross section of the casing 20 and issuitably secured thereto. A circular disk-shaped member 44 of resilientand flexible material, such as rubber, is provided on its outerperiphery with a head 46 which is fitted within a channel-shaped annularmember 48 of metal or the like. The outer periphery of the head 46 andmember 48 is seated against an annular shoulder 50 formed on the innerperiphery of the member 42. The head 46 and member 48 have the sameconfiguration as the shoulder 50. The disk-shaped member 44 at itscenter is provided with a circular opening defined by a head 52 and aU-shaped member 64.

The bead 52 and U-shaped member 54 secured thereto are received within achannel or groove 58 formed by the end wall 58 of the fan and a ring 80.suitably secured thereto. The center of the end wall 58 of the fan andthe ring 60 define an inlet opening 82 for the fan and this opening maybe provided with a screen suitably secured to or between the inner edgesof the wall 58 and ring 60 defining the opening 62, The disk-shapedmember 44 may be made initially flat or in the shape of a cone frustumbut of less height-than that indicated in Figs. 2 and 4.

The motor blower unit 40 includes an electric motor and a centrifugalfan of one or more stages, the fan wheels or rotors thereof beingmounted on the motor shaft, the fan being designated by the referencecharacter 66. The axis of the motor and fan extends generally parallelto the longitudinal axis of the casing and lies approximately in thecenter of the circular air inlet opening 62.

The air which passes through the fan may be made to pass through themotor in order to cool the same, and thence be discharged through theopenings 88 at the rear thereof.

The rear of the motor case is provided. with a rearwardly extendingaxial boss 18 which is provided with a threaded hole 12 for receivingthe threaded end 14 of a screw 18 which'is carried in a collar I8mounted in the central opening of a disk-shaped member 88. The outerperiphery of the disk-shaped member is secured in an annular seat 82formed on a sleeve 84. The disk-shaped member 88 is provided with aplurality of openings 88 therein for passing air. The disk-shaped member88 is made of rubber or like material and may be made initially flat orin the shape of a conefrustum but of a lesser height than thatindicate'd'so that when the motor blower unit 48 is mounted asillustrated in Fig. 2, the material of the members 88 and 44 will beunder tension. That is, the members 44 and 88 should be made so that thedistance between the centers thereof, when said members 44 and 88 arenot under tension, is greater than the length of the motor fan unit sothat when the latter is mounted as illustrated in Fig. 2, parts 44 and88 will be under tension and the motor tan unit will be floatinglyasomse The sleeve 88 forms the socket 84 which provides the airdischarge from the cleaner and is suitably secured to that part of thecasing 28 which defines the opening for the socket .84. In this case atrim band I I8- provided with an opening has the marginal edges whichdefine the opening flanged inwardly and bent to cooperate with the endof the sleeve 88 for positioning the same mounted thereon. This mountingwill permit a limited oscillation of the motor fan unit along its axisdue for example to the operation of the motor and fan and variations inload thereon due to restrictions in the air intake or air discharge fromthe fan.

To limit the amplitude of such oscillations, a device comprising a metalplate 88 may be clamped to the inner bead of the member '88 by thecollar I8. This plate has openings corresponding with those in themember 88, and is provided with a plurality of curved fingers 88projecting laterally from the outer periphery of the plate 88 anddisposed on both sides of the rim 82 forming the seat for the outer beadof the member 88 so as to limit the axial shifting of the motor fan.unit. The rim 82 is cut away opposite the fingers 88 so as toaccommodate pro- J'ections or bumpers 84 on the outer bead of the member88 (Fig. 6). ject radially and laterally beyond the rim 82 so as toprevent contact between the fingers 88 and the rim 82.

The collar 84 has its other end shaped to fit within a sleeve 88. Theend of the collar 84 fitted within the sleeve 88 may be formed in theshape of a relatively large annular bead,-the outer mar- These bumpers84 pro as illustrated in Fig. 2. The gasket I I2 may be arranged aroundthe sleeve 88 so as to prevent the escape of air from the casing throughthe Joint betweenthe sleeve 88 and the casing wall.

' The motor has suitably afilxed thereto an insulating panel I28 towhich spring contacts I22 and I24 are secured. The contacts are suitablyconnected by leads to the motor windings.

In the manufacturing process the collar 84 with the disk 88 and theplate 88 thereon may be assembled to the sleeve 88 after the latter hasbeen assembled to the casing. The screw I8 is rotatably held in thecollar I8. The motor fan unit 48 has the member 44 assembled thereto.

After the baffle or partition 42 is arranged and' secured in the casing,the motor fan unit 48 and the mounting member 44 are inserted into thecasing through the opening exposed when the cover 38, filter 38 and bag38 are removed. The outer periphery oi the member 44 is seated on theshoulder 88.

To obtain proper alignment of the contacts I22 and I24 with the switchcontacts I32 and I84, the bafiie 42 is provided with a notch or joggleI28 (Fi 9) which is shaped to receive a correginal edge of which isformed to have a sliding lit in said sleeve 88. Such marginal edge ofthe head 88 is provided with a plurality of notches 'I88 which arearranged so as to accommodate loops or projections I82 extendingradially inwardly from a spring I84 which encircles the end of thesleeve 88. The loops or projections I82, of which four may be provided,extend through correspondingly spaced slots in the sleeve 88 and intothe notches I88 so as to prevent axial separation of the collar 84 fromthe sleeve 88 when the parts -are positioned as illustrated in Figs. 5and v 7. However, when the collar 84 is rotated relative to the sleeve88, the tabs I88 formed on the sleeve 84 between the notches I88 willact on the loops or projections I 82 and expand'the spring I84, therebypermitting axial separation of the.

collar 84 from the sleeve 88.

When the collar 84 is initially assembled to the sleeve 88, the bead 88will cam the projections I82 outwardly until the notches I88 are alignedwith the projections I 82, whereupon the same will snap into theirposition as illustrated in Fig. 7 and secure the collar 84 in the sleeve88.

spondlng guide and locating surface on the outer periphery ofthe member48. After the outer rim of the member 44 is properly seated against theshoulder 58', and the members 44 and 88 are stretched, the threaded holeI2 in the boss 18 of the motor may be aligned with the threaded part 14of the screw 18 and then by inserting a screw driver through the socket34, the screw I8 may be threaded into the hole 12 and tightened therein.

The socket and switch assembly 28 which is suitably mounted on thecasing. 28 is partially exposed to the interior of the casing andprovided with contacts I32 and I34 with'which the spring contacts I 22and I24 engage when the motor is positioned as illustrated in Fig. 2.The socket and switch assembly further includes a push type of switchI38 arranged in a recess in one end oi the handle 24 and a socket I38having electrical terminals adaptedto receive a plug I48 on the end of acurrent conducting cord. The switch I38 is housed within a recess in thehandle 24 which'has a limited movement so that by stepping on the end ofthe handle 24 over the switch I38, the same may be actuated to open orclose the circuit of the motor.

A muiiier I48 comprising a ring of sponge rubber or other acousticmaterial may be arranged between the outer margin ofthe plate 88 and theannular shoulder I42 onthe end of the motor, this ringbeing suitablysupported on the motor. A part of the ring may be notched out toaccommodate the motor leads. In lieu of using sponge rubber, an airpervious material might be employedrofsuitable perforations in thesponge While the invention has been described with some detail, it is tobe understood that the description is for the purpose of illustrationonly and is not definitive of the limits of the inventive idea. Theright is reserved to make such changes in the details of constructionand arrangement attached claims.

I claim: a

1. In a suction cleaner having a casing with a motor blower unittherein, a pair of spaced disc-shaped mounting members formed ofresilient material, said casing being provided at one end with arelatively large opening through which said motor blower unit and saidmounting members are inserted in and may be removed from said casing,the interior of said casing being provided with a seat facing saidopening and against which the outer periphery of one of said members isremovably seated, a collar secured to the outer periphery of the otherof said members, a sleeve forming an air exhaust from said cleaner, saidcasing having at its other end a relatively small opening within whichsaid sleeve contacts exposed to the interior of said casing, a

motor blower unit removably and resiliently mounted in said casingindependently of said.

switch, and contacts carried by said motor unit engageable with saidswitch contacts upon arranging said unit in said casing.

5. In a suction cleaner having a casing with a motor blower unittherein, a mounting member for supporting each end of said unit, saidcasing being provided at one end with a relatively large opening throughwhich said motor blower unit and said mounting members are inserted inand may be removed from said casing, the interior of said casing beingprovided with a seat facing said opening and against which the outerperiphery of one of said mounting members is removably seated, said seatdefining an opening through which at least part of said motor blowerunit and the :other of said mounting members may pass, said casinghaving at its other end a relatively small opening forming an airoutletfor said casing, means providing a connection beis secured, meansproviding a detachable connection between said collar and said' sleeve,central portions of said members being connected to the ends of saidunit, at least one of said members of resilient material being undertension, one of said members being connected to one end of said unit bya threaded means, the head of which is accessible through said sleeveand collar.

'2. In a suction cleaner having a casing with a motor blower unittherein, a pair of spaced disc-shaped mounting members formed ofresilient material, said casing being provided at one end with arelatively large opening through which said motor blower unit and saidmounting members are inserted in and may be removed from said casing,the interior of said casing being provided with a seat facing saidopening and against which the outer periphery of one of-said members isremovably seated, a collar secured to the outer periphery of the otherof said members, said casing having at its other end an exhaust port towhich said collar is connected, central portions of said members beingconnectedv motor blower unit therein, inlet and outlet parts for saidcasing, means for floatingly supporting said unit in said casingcomprising spring means arranged under tension between one end of saidunit and said casing, said motor blower unit having an opening at oneend thereof for, the intake of air and anopening at the other endthereof for the discharge of air, and sound attenuating means comprisinga tubular member of sound absorbing material carried by said unit andsur-,

rounding the discharge opening thereof and forming a path within saidcasing for the flow of air between the discharge opening of said unitand said casing outlet port.

4. In a suction cleaner a casing, a switch mounted thereon and having anactuating element accessible from the exterior thereof and itween saidother mounting member and said casing, at least one of said mountingmembers being I ing said opening and against which the outer peripheryof one of said members is removably seated, said seat defining anopening through which said motor blower unit and the other of saidmounting members may pass, a collar se-. cured to the outer periphery ofthe other of said mounting members, a sleeve forming an air exhaust fromsaid cleaner, said casing having at its other end a relatively smallopening forming an air outlet and within which said sleeve is secured,means providing a detachable connection between said collar and saidsleeve, said members being connected to the ends of said unit, at leastone of said mounting members being of resilient material, said other ofsaid members being connected to one endof said unit by a threaded meanswhich is accessible through said ing through which said motor'blowerunit and said mounting members are inserted in and may be removed fromsaid casing. said casing being provided with an internal shoulderforming a seat facing said opening and against which the outer peripheryof one of said members is removably seated, said seat defining anopening through which said motor blower unit and the other of saidmounting members may pass, means providing a detachable connectionbetween the other end of said casing and said other mounting whichfunctions to hold said one of said mountings on its seat and to therebysuspend said unit in said casing and secure it relative thereto, saidother of said members being connected to one end of said unit by athreaded means which is accessible through a relatively small opening-inv/resilient member and said resilient member tosaid other end oi saidcasins.

8. In a suction cleaner having a-casing with a. motor blower unittherein, a mounting member formed of resilient material arranged tosupport one end oi said unit, said casing being provided at one end witha relatively large opening through which said motor blower unit and saidmounting member are inserted in and may be removed from said casing, theinterior of said casing being provided with an internal seat facing saidopening and on which seat the outer periphery of said mounting memberis. seated for locating said mounting member, said casing having at itsother end a relatively small opening forming an air outlet from saidcleaner, and threaded means which is accessible through said smallopening for securing the other end of said unit relative to said casingthereby to bias said unit against said ward said seat and to suspendsaid unit in said casing.

9. In a suction cleaner having a casing with a motor blower unittherein, a mounting member formed at least in part oi resilient materialand supported within said casing and engageable with said unit so as toform at least a part of a support for said unit within said casing, saidcasing being provided at one end with a relatively large opening throughwhich said unit and mounting member are inserted inand may be removedfrom said casing, a single threaded means within said casing and betweensaid casing and unit for securing said unit in and relative to saidcasing and said casing being provided at its other end with anotheropening through which access may be had to said threaded means.

GEORGE R. COSS.

